Apple Engineering Wireless Beats Earbuds For iPhone 7 To Counteract Abandoned Headphone Jack
Rumor has it Apple is abandoning the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on its next iPhone models, presumably the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. In its place Apple reportedly plans to bundle a set of earphones that will plug into the iPhone 7's Lightening port called EarPods. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, Apple might also offer a set of Bluetooth headphones.
Keeping in mind that nothing is yet official, there's suspicion that Apple may have used a shell company called Entertainment in Flight LLC to apply for the "AirPods" trademark several months ago. That would be a fitting name for a pair of wireless earbuds, one that will likely be sold separately rather than bundled with the iPhone 7.
It makes sense that Apple would want to dabble in audio hardware. After all, it paid a hefty sum for Beats Electronics, so why not put its acquired resources to use outside of the streaming space? If rumors are to be believed, Apple's doing exactly that as it tests a prototype set of AirPods.
The AirPods are said to be 100 percent wireless, meaning there's not even a cable that connects the left and right earbuds to one another. Apple will probably use a sleeve system to ensure a general fit into different size ears. You can also expect the AirPods to wield a noise-cancelling microphone for answering calls and barking commands at Siri.
It's not known what kind of battery life the AirPods will offer, though when it comes time to recharge them, it's said an included carrying case will double as a rechargeable battery.
Keeping in mind that nothing is yet official, there's suspicion that Apple may have used a shell company called Entertainment in Flight LLC to apply for the "AirPods" trademark several months ago. That would be a fitting name for a pair of wireless earbuds, one that will likely be sold separately rather than bundled with the iPhone 7.
Tired of wireless earphones? Apple may sell separately a pair of Bluetooth "AirPods" alongside its iPhone 7
It makes sense that Apple would want to dabble in audio hardware. After all, it paid a hefty sum for Beats Electronics, so why not put its acquired resources to use outside of the streaming space? If rumors are to be believed, Apple's doing exactly that as it tests a prototype set of AirPods.
The AirPods are said to be 100 percent wireless, meaning there's not even a cable that connects the left and right earbuds to one another. Apple will probably use a sleeve system to ensure a general fit into different size ears. You can also expect the AirPods to wield a noise-cancelling microphone for answering calls and barking commands at Siri.
It's not known what kind of battery life the AirPods will offer, though when it comes time to recharge them, it's said an included carrying case will double as a rechargeable battery.
